College Forward coaches underserved, motivated students to achieve the benefits of higher education and a post-secondary degree. We pair students with near-peer coaches who provide personalized support to guide students from 11th grade through college graduation.
We are seeking AmeriCorps*Texas members to serve as College Coaches at our Austin site. The applicant must possess a sincere interest in empowering youth and a passion for higher education. Applicants should also possess the ability to carefully and strategically plan individual work goals in order to meet organizational objectives in a timely manner; ability to closely monitor progress towards these goals and take appropriate remedial action when necessary. Successful applicants are leaders with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Service Activities
● Ensure that students consistently receive the highest quality of services
● Work on college and/or high school campuses to provide students direct college transition counseling and support in areas including, but not limited to: freshman orientation, course registration, financial aid/FAFSA issues, college transfers, career development, and other miscellaneous issues. Conduct research, provide referrals, arrange meetings, and accompany students to appointments as necessary
● Provide extended support and create personalized action plans for students in challenging situations, including loss of financial aid, family crises, drop-outs, stop-outs, deferrals, MIA students, and students enrolled in two-year colleges
● Maintain excellent working relationships with supervisors, fellow AmeriCorps members, school district and college personnel, students and families, volunteers, donors, and the greater community
● Plan, coordinate, and attend required programmatic and community service events for students and parents
● Organize and maintain up-to-date student information on student progress including milestones and deliverable in databases and physical files; monitor program statistics; produce reports as needed
Community Need Addressed
The United States faces a college graduation crisis - only half of students who enter 9th grade enroll in college, and 45% of students who do enroll don't graduate. For students from low-income backgrounds, only 8% earn degrees. Low-income students face a variety of academic, financial, cultural, and systemic challenges to their college success. Many jobs require some post-secondary education, which puts low-income students at risk. The opportunities presented by a college degree are, however, enormous. People with college degrees tend to experience higher earnings, lower unemployment and poverty, better working conditions, longer lives, better health, and many other benefits. Higher education represents the surest pathway to prosperity for low-income students. College Forward's coaches address the challenges that would turn that pathway into a barrier.
Position Outcomes
College Forward has supported over 1,700 students to successfully complete a post-secondary degree or credential. Ninety percent of College Forward students enroll in college after graduating high school and 82% of students in the program persist to their second year, compared to 73% of students of all income levels. Our students are 2.5 times more likely to graduate than their unsupported peer.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
College Forward provides millage reimbursement for all travel related to service along with a monthly cell phone allowance.
Skills you will gain
Customer service training, professional writing and communication, networking and professional development, public speaking, database management, time management, and project management
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment